Spotlight on Occasional Pests

Most occasional invaders enter structures because outside
weather conditions become too hostile for their survival. However,
occasional invaders are often just nuisance pests because they
cannot survive for long periods of time indoors.

Take, for example, the brown marmorated stink bug, which has
become notorious for its "smelly" reputation. Learn about the
different types of occasional pests, including stink bugs
centipedes, and millipedes and how to get rid of them.

HOUSEHOLD PESTS

Occasional Pests & Invaders

Boxelder bugs get their common name from the fact that they are
often found on and around boxelder trees. This species is native to
the western states, but can be found from eastern Canada throughout
the eastern United States, and west to eastern Nevada wherever
boxelder trees are found.

Camel crickets get their common name from their humpbacked
appearance, which is similar to that of a camel. They are
widespread in the United States and in the world. Camel crickets do
not possess sound producing organs, and therefore do not chirp.
Additionally, the adults do not have wings, unlike other cricket
species. Camel crickets leap when they are frightened since it's
the only defense mechanism they have to scare off predators.

Centipedes are sometimes called "hundred-leggers" because of
their many pairs of legs, but they can actually have anywhere from
15-177 pairs of legs, depending on the species. Interestingly,
centipedes always have an odd number of pairs of legs.

House crickets get their common name from the fact that they
often enter houses where they can survive indefinitely.
Interestingly, they are known for their loud chirping which is
caused by rubbing their front wings together to attract
females.

Ladybugs are also known as lady beetles or ladybird beetles.
Most species of this beetle family are highly beneficial insects,
but some have a habit of overwintering in structures, leading them
to become nuisance pests. Ladybugs are found worldwide with about
475 species located in the Unites States and Canada.

Mayflies most likely get their common name from their typical
emergence during the month of May, though they can emerge earlier
or later depending on the species and environmental conditions.

Despite their name, mayflies are not actually flies. They are
aquatic insects and are an important food source for fish and
reptiles. Their most distinguishing features are their two or three
tails that are often longer than their bodies.

Millipedes are sometimes called "thousand-leggers" because of
their many pairs of legs, but they can actually have anywhere from
30-90+ pairs of legs, depending on the species. The leggiest is
Illacme plenipes, which can have more than 333 pairs of legs.

Periodical cicadas are large insects often incorrectly referred
to as locusts even though they are unrelated. They are known for
the loud buzzing noise that males make to attract female mates.

There are at least 15 broods of periodical cicadas that emerge
from underground in 13- or 17-year cycles in different parts of the
country. In May 2013, a group of Brood II cicadas invaded the
Northeastern United States from the Carolinas to Connecticut.
Another brood of 17-year cicadas, Brood III, is expected to emerge
in Iowa, Illinois and Missouri in 2014.

This pest is the only crustacean that has become completely
adapted to spending its life on land. Pillbugs have oval bodies and
seven pairs of legs. They are easily recognized by their back,
which is made up of seven hard individual plates. Pillbugs are
sometimes referred to as rollie-pollies.

Scorpions are nuisance pests that are closely related to
spiders, mites and ticks. There are about 1,200 scorpion species in
the world and 70 species in the United States. Of these, the most
dangerous species is the Arizona Bark Scorpion, which is found in
the American southwest and in Northern Mexico.

This insect gets its name from its silvery, metallic appearance
and fish-like shape and movements. Silverfish have no wings, but
are able to run very fast. They tend to hide their presence from
humans which means any damage they have caused could go unnoticed
as well.

Certain species of springtails are referred to as "snow fleas"
when found in winter, but they are not fleas at all. Springtails
are found year round, but because of a special protein that acts
like anti-freeze, this type of springtail is able to survive in
cold winter temperatures. Springtails don't have wings, instead
they get around by jumping, using a unique catapult system. Their
jumping is especially noticeable in winter when they are contrasted
against white snow.

Brown marmorated stink bugs are an invasive species from Asia
that arrived in Pennsylvania in 1996. The stink bug earned its name
from its tendency to release an odor when disturbed or when
crushed. Many other insects have these same characteristics,
including some species of ants, beetles and other bugs.